The episode starts with Don narrating. "Last time on the race around the states, as predicted, the contestants continued to struggle sparring with only one hand." "Jay told the contestants that the reason they are struggling, is because they aren't believing hard enough." "Dwayne took this comment very personally, as his own son is shunning him for continuing to not have faith in him." "We then went to the state of Iowa, where we had what was one of our most dangerous challenges yet." "The contestants took turns handling a gun, trying to shoot an incredibly small target." "In the end, Junior managed to get the win, but fell over in the process." "Knowing that Junior could have shot himself, Dwayne was absolutely horrified." "With only three challenges to go, Junior is still behind kelly by 20 points." "Can he continue to close the gap?" "Find out on this episode of, the race around the states."

Intro consists of a shorter version of the final countdown.

Junior and Sanders has just finished being in another Hershey commercial. The two of them were currently sitting in the hotel lobby holding hands. "You are one of the only people that actually has faith in me" said Junior. "Not even my own blood relatives think that I can live through this." "Well to be fair, your condition has been getting worse every day, and you won't stop pushing yourself past your limit" said Sanders. "I don't even know why my dad is concerned for me, the last time I checked, he didn't have a problem with seeing me get hurt" said Junior. "Why do you think your own father would want to see you get hurt?" asked Sanders. "Because when Loki was tearing me apart, he didn't step in to try and help" said Junior. "Instead of risking his life to try and save me, he just stood there and did nothing." "I'm pretty sure your dad deeply regrets what happened that night" said Sanders. "That's the reason why he's trying so hard to discourage you from continuing on."

(Confession cam- I'm only doing this because I love you)

Junior- "He didn't support me when I almost died, and he doesn't support me now." "It's clear that he doesn't love me."

**End confessional**

(Room 3- father and son)

Dwayne had just walked into the room after self defense class, and he saw a note on his son's bed. It read: After everything that i've put up with, I just want to be alone right now. I'm spending the night in a tent outside. All Dwayne could do was let out a disappointed sigh.

(Room 11- mother and daughter)

"Do you think Dwayne Junior is going to be alright?" asked Kelly. "I honestly don't know, it's hard to predict anything at this point" said Taylor. "I certainly hope he's going to be okay."

(Room 12- Harold and Carrie)

Harold was currently sobbing in his sleep. He was reliving a memory that took place when he was only five.

**Flashback**

A five year old Harold was currently asleep in the bedroom that he shared with his two older siblings. His right arm was in a sling, and his left leg was in a cast, being propped up on a pillow. He had gotten beaten up at school again, and just got home from the hospital. Above his bed were two bunks. The one right above him belonged to his older brother by 10 years named Henry. The bunk above that one belonged to his older sister by 13 years named Helen. Harold then felt a tap on his left arm. He woke up and turned to his left, to see his siblings. "Harold, are you okay?" asked Helen. "You were screaming in your sleep" said Henry. "I don't want to talk about it" sobbed Harold. "I know what it is, you had another nightmare" said Helen. "You're worried about ending up in the hospital again" said Henry. "I'm tired of being bullied in school for being the weird kid that gets sick a lot" said Harold. "I don't wanna go back, i'm going to get badly hurt again." "Don't worry little bro, no matter what happens, we'll stay by your side" said Henry. "We've always been there for you, and we always will be" said Helen. "Do you think I could sleep with you guys tonight so I can feel safe?" asked Harold. "Sure thing mate" said Henry. The two of them then got under the covers with Harold. "I love you guys, I love you so much" said Harold, as he leaned his head on his sisters right shoulder.

**End of flashback**

The next morning all of the contestants got on the bus, and they got off in a small town. "We are in Oklahoma, the state famous for the Oklahoma Sooners" said Don. "And i'm not referring to the football team, i'm talking about the Sooners from the 1840's." "In those days, during the events of the gold rush, those people left before anyone else, in wagons that were pulled by horses." "For this challenge, each of you will be riding in a wagon pulled by a horse, and the first contestant to reach the end of this five mile dirt road, will be the winner."

(Confession cam- Silver and gold)

Tammy- "I wonder how much the gold in those days would be worth in today's cash if we count inflation."

Laurie- "Damnit, i'm getting really sick and tired of all the animal cruelty on this show."

**End confessional**

All of the contestants were soon sitting in the wagons, with horses attached to the front of them. They were lined up in rows of two, with the starting lineup being determined by where they were in the point standings. The road that they were on, had just enough room for three wagons to be side by side with each other. When the race started, it started off slow, due to the horses carrying a decent amount of weight. Changing lanes was incredibly difficult, as the wagons could very easily become detached from the horses that were pulling them. Despite starting towards the back, Josee was making her way towards the front, faster than anyone else. When they finally reached the end of the dirt road, Josee was able to beat out Leonard at the last second, getting the win. Crimson ended up finishing third, Lorenzo fourth, Chet fifth, Noah sixth, Brody seventh, Jen eighth, Miles ninth, Owen tenth, MacArthur eleventh, Jay twelfth, Stephanie thirteenth, Geoff fourteenth, Jacques fifteenth, Sanders sixteenth, Taylor seventeenth, Ryan eighteenth, Rock nineteenth, Kitty twentieth, Pete twenty first, Harold twenty second, Courtney twenty third, Spud twenty fourth, Kelly twenty fifth, Ellody twenty sixth, Tammy twenty seventh, Dwayne twenty eighth, Emma twenty ninth, Laurie thirtieth, Ennui thirty first, Mary thirty second, Tom thirty third, Carrie thirty fourth, Gerry thirty fifth, and Junior thirty sixth.

(Confession cam- Horsey rockey Horsey)

Junior- "I did not enjoy that challenge at all." "My head is now hurting even worse, and Kelly pulled even farther ahead of me."

Kelly- "Okay, so far so good." "If I play my cards right, I might be able to clinch this whole thing, before the final challenge of the season even starts."

Harold- "Oh God, there goes my shot at taking this whole thing." "I just want to get this show over with so I can go home and make amends with my family."

Josee- "That was the most uncomfortable ride of my life." "But in the end, it was totally worth it."

**End confessional**

The podium ceremony was now happening. Crimson was on the third place pedestal, Leonard was on the second place pedestal, and Josee was on the winner's pedestal. "Nicely done Josee, when this competition ends, you'll be going home with a hot tub" said Don. He then turned towards the camera. "We are getting closer and closer to the end of this thing." "With only two challenges to go, Kelly continues to hold a decent lead." "Points wise, the top four contestants are within one challenge of each other." "Will Kelly be able to clinch the million dollars before the season finale even starts?" "Find out next time on, the race around the states."

Point standings

First place: Kelly, 2,229 points, 1 win

Second place: Junior, 2,198 points, 5 wins

Third place: Sanders, 2,195 points, 1 win

Fourth place: Jay, 2,194 points, 4 wins

Fifth place: Crimson, 2,193 points, 2 wins

Sixth place: Emma, 2,193 points, 1 win

Seventh place: Ryan, 2,183 points, 3 wins

Eighth place: Chet, 2,183 points

Ninth place: Taylor, 2,170 points

Tenth place: Leonard, 2,165 points

Eleventh place: Laurie, 2,161 points, 2 wins

Twelfth place: Harold, 2,132 points, 12 wins

Thirteenth place: Owen, 1,129 points

Fourteenth place: Kitty, 1,114 points

Fifteenth place: Noah, 1,066 points, 2 wins

Sixteenth place: Lorenzo, 1,050 points, 1 win

Seventeenth place: Ennui, 1,009 points

Eighteenth place: Tammy, 1,002 points

Nineteenth place: Geoff, 968 points

Twentieth place: Jen, 941 points

Twenty first place: MacArthur, 883 points, 1 win

Twenty second place: Stephanie, 867 points

Twenty third place: Mary, 774 points

Twenty fourth place: Miles, 772 points

Twenty fifth place: Jacques, 736 points, 1 win

Twenty sixth place: Brody, 706 points, 4 wins

Twenty seventh place: Pete, 640 points

Twenty eighth place: Rock, 637 points

Twenty ninth place: Chris, 605 points, 1 win

Thirtieth place: Spud, 565 points

Thirty first place: Ellody, 439 points

Thirty second place: Dwayne, 425 points, 3 wins

Thirty third place: Tom, 386 points

Thirty fourth place: Josee, 357 points, 3 wins

Thirty fifth place: Gerry, 343 points

Thirty sixth place: Carrie, 334 points

Thirty seventh place: Izzy, 272 points, 1 win

Thirty eighth place: Leshawna, 171 points

Thirty ninth place: Mickey, 139 points

Fortieth place: Courtney, 122 points

Forty first place: Devin, 114 points

Forty second place: Zoey, 101 points

Forty third place: Dawn, 81 points

Forty fourth place: Duncan, 35 points

Forty fifth place: Lindsay, 18 points

Authors note: As of March 10 2023, one ounce of gold is worth 1,863 US dollars.

Not all the time, but sometimes when a family member is really bothering you, they are really just trying to look out for you.

As always, if you have an idea for a challenge in an upcoming state or a prize for a future challenge winner, feel free to let me know in a review.

Thank you for reading and please have a great day.